Adjustable pillow

ABSTRACT

A pillow including a flexible casing, fill, a string, and a clip. The flexible casing defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an enclosed interior cavity between the first end and the second end. The flexible casing defines a string aperture in the second end of the flexible casing. The fill is maintained within the enclosed interior cavity for providing cushion to the pillow. The string is statically secured near a first end of the flexible casing and extends through the enclosed interior cavity and out the string aperture through the second end of the flexible casing. The clip is selectively secured to the string adjacent the string aperture. The clip is movable along the at least one string and selectively latched at various positions along the at least one string to adjust the pillow from a non-compressed state to one or more compressed states.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pillows have long been used as support for the head of a user whilereclining or laying in a chair, sofa, bed, floor, etc. Pillows aregenerally formed as a fabric casing filed with a suitable fill, such asdown, foam or plastic fibers forming a soft compressible pillow thatboth supports the head while providing a soft cushion for the same.Different users have different preferences for how much thickness orcushion supports their head during rest and/or sleep. In addition, as apillow is used, the fill will often become more and more compressed,resulting in a flattened pillow that no longer provides the cushion thatthe pillow originally provided. Users patting or fluffing a pillow canintroduce new air to the fill providing a temporary increase in thevolume of the fill, but the resultant increase in fill volume isgenerally short lived. Since a flattened pillow does not generallyprovide the user with a desired comfort level for their head, fillcompression shortens the useful life of a pillow.

SUMMARY

A pillow including a flexible casing, fill, a string, and a clip. Theflexible casing defines a first end, a second end opposite the firstend, and an enclosed interior cavity between the first end and thesecond end. The flexible casing defines a string aperture in the secondend of the flexible casing. The fill is maintained within the enclosedinterior cavity for providing cushion to the pillow. The string isstatically secured near a first end of the flexible casing and extendsthrough the enclosed interior cavity and out the string aperture throughthe second end of the flexible casing. The clip is selectively securedto the string adjacent the string aperture. The clip is movable alongthe at least one string and selectively latched at various positionsalong the at least one string to adjust the pillow from a non-compressedstate to one or more compressed states. Other pillows, assemblies, andassociated methods are also described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to thefigures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustration of a pillow in anon-compressed state, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustration of a pillow in acompressed state, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 1, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 1, according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right-side view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a left-side view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 1, according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 1, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view illustration of the pillow of Figure,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially constructed view of the pillow of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 1 with afront panel removed for illustrative purposes, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an unlatched clip of the pillowof FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a latched clip of the pillow ofFIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial, detail perspective view of the right side of thepillow of

FIG. 1 with an opened pocket, according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 15 is a partial, detail perspective view of the right side of thepillow of

FIG. 1 with a closed pocket, according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view illustration of a pillow in acompressed state with strings partially stowed in the closed pocket ofFIG. 15, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a front view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 16, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a rear view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 16, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a right-side view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 16,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a left-side view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 16,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a top view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 16, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view illustration of the pillow of FIG. 16,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention provides exampleembodiments and is not intended to limit the invention or theapplication and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is nointention to be bound by any theory presented in the precedingbackground of the invention or the following detailed description of theinvention. Relational terms herein such a first, second, top, bottom,etc. may be used herein solely to distinguish one entity or action fromanother without necessarily requiring or implying an actual suchorientation or order. In addition, as used herein, the term “about” or“substantially” applies to all numeric values or descriptive terms,respectively, and generally indicate a range of numbers orcharacteristics that one of skill in the art would consider equivalentto the recited values or terms, that is, having the same function orresults.

This innovation provides a pillow that is adjustable to maintain cushionof a pillow even as pillow fill compresses during use and/or tootherwise adjust the pillow's cushion for a user's head as desiredduring use. The pillow includes at least one string, in one example, twostrings, extending from a first end of the pillow, through an interiorof the pillow, and an opposite end of the pillow. In one embodiment, aclip is secured to the string adjacent an exterior surface of thepillow. The clip is selectively securable to various locations along thestring. When the clip is slid toward and secured to the string nearerthe first end of the pillow, the overall length of the pillow isshortened in a manner fluffing the fill of the pillow to maintain addedcushioning for the user's head. When the clip is slid away from thefirst end of the pillow, the pillow maintains a less or non-compressedposition providing less cushioning for the user's head. In oneembodiment, the adjustable compression of the pillow extends the usablelife of the pillow.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1-8 illustrate an assembled pillow 10, andFIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of pillow 10, according to oneembodiment of the present invention including a shell or flexible casing12, one or more strings 14, at least one adjustable clip 16, and fill 18(see FIG. 9). Flexible casing 12 forms an interior cavity 20 (see FIGS.9 and housing fill 18, which provides the cushion to the pillow 10. Theone or more strings 14 are each statically secured to one end offlexible casing 12, extend through the interior cavity 20, and out anopposite end of flexible casing 12 to a free end 22 of each respectiveone of the one or more strings 14. One of the one or more clips 16 issecured near free end 22 of each of the one or more strings 14 adjacentflexible casing 12. The one or more clips 16 are selectively securableto the respective one of the one or more strings 14 to adjust an overalllength, and thereby, fluff of pillow 10 to a level providing the userwith a desired comfort level. In one embodiment, clips 16 are eliminatedand the one or more strings 14 are adjusted by tying and untying each ofthe one or more strings 14 to itself and/or to others of the one or morestrings 14.

More specifically, flexible casing 12 is formed of a suitable flexiblematerial such as fabric, for example, canvas, silk, satin, polyester,cotton, or a blend thereof. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9,flexible casing 12 is formed of a first panel 30 and a separate secondpanel 32, for example, each formed in a substantially identical size andshape as the other. For example, first panel 30 and second panel 32 areeach formed as rectangles, circles, ovals, or any other suitable shape.First panel 30 defines a perimeter 40 including a first lateral edge 42or first end and a second lateral edge 44 or second end opposite firstlateral edge 42, and similarly, second panel 32 defines a perimeter 50including a first lateral edge 52 or first end and a second lateral edge54 or second end opposite first lateral edge 52. Each of first panel 30and second panel 32 are substantially planar defining an interiorsurface 46 and 56, respectively, and an exterior surface 48 and 58,respectively. In one embodiment, flexible casing 12 is formed of asingle fabric piece folded onto and sewn to itself such that first panel30 and second panel 32 are defined on a single, contiguous piece ofmaterial.

One or more strings 14, in one example, two strings 14, are elongatedmembers formed of a cord, thread, ribbon, fabric, or other suitablematerial, and each has a length longer than a length of flexible casing12. Each string 14 defines a first end 70 and second or free end 22opposite first end 70 defining an overall string length Ls.

Each of clips 16 is configured to be selectively locked on to one of theone or more strings 14. In one embodiment, as shown more clearly withadditional reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, each clip 16 is a toggle clipor cord lock including a clip housing 80, a toggle 82, and a spring 84.Clip housing 80 forms a general enclosure having a cavity 86 anddefining two string apertures 88 and a toggle aperture 90. The twostring apertures 88 are formed on opposite sides of clip housing 80, andtoggle aperture 90 is formed substantially equidistantly between the twostring apertures 88. Each of the two string apertures 88 are sized witha diameter, or other outer dimension, larger than an outer diameter ofeach string 14. Toggle aperture 90 is shaped similarly to and slightlylarger than toggle 82 in a manner configured to loosely receive toggle82.

In one embodiment, toggle 82 defines a top panel 92, depending sidewall94, and a perimeter rim 96. Top panel 92 is sized similarly to andslightly smaller than toggle aperture 90. Depending sidewall 94 extendsaround perimeter of top panel 92 perpendicularly away therefrom. Twolocking apertures 98 are formed on opposite sides of depending sidewall94 and are positioned to selectively align with toggle apertures 90 whentoggle 82 is pressed into clip housing 80 to compress spring 84.Perimeter rim 96 extends around a portion of depending sidewall 94opposite top panel 92 to have an overall diameter, or outermostdimension, greater than an outer dimension of toggle aperture 90.Perimeter rim 96 covers a substantial entirety of a bottom of toggle 82.

Toggle 82 is positioned within toggle aperture 90 such that top panel 92remains outside of clip housing 80, and depending sidewalls extendsthrough toggle aperture 90. Since perimeter rim 96 is larger than toggleaperture 90, perimeter rim 96 remains in clip housing 80 and generallyprevents toggle 82 from moving out of clip housing 80. Spring 84, which,in one embodiment, is a coil spring, is positioned within clip housing80 to be coaxially positioned relative to toggle 82 and to interact withan interior of clip housing 80 opposite toggle aperture 90 at one endand with perimeter rim 96 at an opposing end. Spring 84 pushes toggle 82toward toggle aperture 90 of clip housing 80 moving perimeter rim 96into contact with an interior surface of clip housing 80 adjacent toggleaperture 90 into a latched position as shown in FIG. 13. In the latchedposition, as shown in FIG. 12, locking aperture 98 is no longer alignedwith string aperture 88. Pushing down on top surface 92 of toggle 82overcomes the biasing force of spring 84 to align locking aperture 98with string aperture until toggle 82 is released.

Referring to the exploded view of FIG. 9, during assembly, flexiblecasing 12 is first formed into the desired pillow shape and to becoupled with the one or more stings 14. To assemble pillow 10, in oneembodiment, first panel 30 and second panel 32 are placed on top of oneanother aligning perimeter 40 of first panel 30 with perimeter 50 ofsecond panel 32. More specifically, first panel 30 and second panel 32are placed with right sides, that is, with exterior surfaces 48 and 58facing each other.

Additionally, referring to FIG. 10, each of the one or more strings 14are then positioned to extend across the currently outwardly facinginterior surface 56 or 46 of second panel 32 or, as illustrated firstpanel 30. More specifically, first end 70 of each of the one or morestrings 14 is positioned adjacent and/or to extend past first lateraledge 42 of first panel 30 such that the respective string 14 extendsacross first panel 30 and free end 22 extends significantly beyondsecond lateral edge 44. In one example, each of the one or more strings14, for example, each of the two or more strings 14 is positionedsubstantially perpendicularly to one or both of the first lateral edge42 and second lateral edge 54.

Once first panel 30, second panel 32, and strings 14 are properlypositioned, first panel 30 and second panel 32 are each sewn together.More specifically, in one embodiment, first panel 30 and second panel 32are sewn together with a seam 162 running along and slightly inset fromsecond lateral edges 44 and 54 one of longitudinal edges 45 and 55, andfirst lateral edges 42 and 52. In one example, as described with respectto the orientation of FIG. 10, seam 162 extends from a positiongenerally indicated as A in FIG. 10 just outside, that is, to the topof, a top one of strings 14, toward and along a closest one, that is thetop one, of the longitudinal edges 45 and 55 of first panel 30 andsecond panel 32, then downwardly along first lateral edges 42 and 52,and across first end 70 of one of strings 14 to point B as indicated inFIG. 10. In this manner, seam 160 is defined between points A-B. Asubstantially symmetrical perimeter seam portion 162 is formed betweenpoints A-B just inset from lower portions of opposites sides of secondlateral edges 44 and 54 from a position just below the bottom one ofstrings 14, toward and along the lower one of longitudinal edges 45 and55, upwardly along first lateral edges 42 and 52, and across first end70 of the bottom one of stings 14.

Prior to, substantially simultaneously with, and/or after forming seams160 and 162, first panel 30 is also sewn to second panel 32 between, butnot crossing strings 14, for example, between points C-C as identifiedin FIG. 10, just inset from second lateral edges 44 and 54. In oneembodiment, a continuous seam is formed between points C-C. In anotherembodiment, as illustrated, a pocket 100 is incorporated into pillow 10along second lateral edges 44 and 54 for maintaining free ends 22 ofstrings 14. Pocket 100 may take on any suitable form to selectivelymaintain free ends 22 of strings 14. For example, pocket 100 includes afirst pocket panel 102, a second pocket panel 104, and a selectiveclosure 106. First pocket panel 102 and second pocket panel 104 are eachformed of a suitable fabric, such as a fabric similar to fabric formingfirst panel 30 and second panel 32, and are of substantially identicalsize and shape.

Each of first pocket panel 102 and second pocket panel 104 have aninterior surface 108, which will face an interior of pocket 100, and anopposite exterior surface 110. First pocket panel 102 is placed onsecond pocket panel 104 with interior surfaces 108 facing each other.First pocket panel 102 and second pocket panel 104 are sewn together viaseam 120 positioned just inside outer perimeters 122 of each of firstpocket panel 102 and second pocket panel 104 leaving one correspondinglinear edge 124 open on each of first pocket panel 102 and second pocketpanel 104. In this manner, a cavity 180 (see FIGS. 13 and 14) is formedby pocket 100. In one example, closure 106 is placed near the openlinear edges 124 of first pocket panel 102 and second pocket panel 104.Closure 105 is any suitable selective fastener such as snap, button,tie, and/or, as illustrated, a hook-and-loop fastener including a firstclosure member 132 and a second closure member 134. Each of firstclosure member 132 and second closure member 134 are secured to arespective one of first pocket panel 102 and second pocket panel 104with the hook or loop portion of each of first closure member 132 andsecond closure member 134 facing the hook or loop portion of the otherof first closure member 132 and second closure member 134. As such, whenopen linear edges 124 of first pocket panel 102 and second pocket panel104 are pressed together, first closure member 132 is selectivelysecured to second closure member 134.

In one example, a seam 164 is formed from adjacent top one of strings atpoint C, opposite point A, downwardly along second lateral edges 44 and54 to point D, which, in one embodiment, extends over a portion ofpocket 100 to seam 120. A second, substantially symmetrical seam 166 isformed from adjacent bottom one of stings at point C upwardly alongsecond lateral edges 44 and 54 to point D. Each of seams 164 and 166stop short of extending entirely across pocket 100 leaving linear edges124 of first pocket panel 102 and second pocket panel 104 open. Whilestrings 14 are described as being in place relative to first panel 30and second panel 32, in one embodiment, strings 14 are not so positionedduring sewing. Whether or not strings 14 are in place during sewing,first panel 30 and second panel 32 are not sewn together between pointsA and C forming a string aperture 176 therebetween, which is sized toreceive string 14.

Pillow is turned right-side out via a temporary opening left betweenpoints B-B along first lateral edges 42 and 52 of first panel 30 andsecond panel 32 so that interior surfaces 108 of first panel 30 andsecond panel 32 face each other forming cavity 20 therebetween. One ofopen linear edges 124 of first panel 30 and second panel 30 is sewn to arespective one of open edge 124 of first pocket panel 102 and secondpocket panel 104 via a corresponding seam 170 (see FIG. 14). Once pillow10 is turned right-side out, strings 14 are thread from an interior ofpillow 10 through a corresponding one of string apertures 176, such thatstrings 14 extend in a manner substantially perpendicularly to firstlateral edges 42 and 54 and second lateral edges 44 and 54. One of clips16 is unlatched, that is toggle 82 is moved into cavity 86 of clip 16aligning toggle aperture 90 with two string apertures 88 allowing freeend 22 of one of strings 14 to be thread therethrough as shown in FIG.13. Toggle 82 is released such that spring 84 pushes toggle 82 upwardlatching clip onto string 14 by compressing string 14 between housing 80and toggle 82 portions to prevent string 14 from moving back through arespective string aperture 88.

Fill 18 is stuffed into cavity 20 of pillow via temporary openingbetween points B-B including filling portions of cavity above and beloweach of the one or more string 14, in any suitable method as will beapparent to those of skill in the art. Fill 18 may be of any suitabletype or material such as polyester, foam, feather, plastic, cotton, etc.and/or a blend thereof and is inserted into cavity 20 to achieve adesired cushion level. In one example, fill 18 is at least partiallycompressible.

In one embodiment, fill 18 is positioned in cavity to substantiallyfully surround each of the one or more strings 14, as shown, forexample, in the front view of FIG. 11 in which the first panel 30 hasbeen removed for illustration purposes. In this manner, each of the oneor more strings 14 extends through a middle or center of fill 18. In oneembodiment, due to the position of fill, each of the one or more strings14 only contacts casing 12 at its securement to casing 12 near firstlateral edges 42 and 52 and as it extends out of a respective stringaperture 176 near second lateral edges 44 and 54 of casing 12. The atleast one strings 14 being embedded in fill 18 makes it less likely auser of pillow 10 will feel either of the at least one strings 14 duringuse, such that strings 14 generally do not impede the comfort of theuser of the pillow 10.

Once fill 18 is in place, the temporary opening between points B-B issewn shut via seam 168 by folding over seam allowances along firstlateral edges 42 and 52 and sewing the same to form a continuousappearance along seam 160, 162, and 164. As such, cavity 20 is fullyenclosed other than any string apertures 176, which are sufficientlysmall so as not to generally allow portions of fill 18 to escape frominside casing 12.

As originally formed, with each of clips 16 positioned on respectivestrings 14 away from and/or to otherwise not compress pillow 10 or fill18 therein. In this original position, an initial casing length L_(C1)is defined between seams 164 and 168. During use, the position of clips16 can be adjusted along the respective one of strings 14. For example,moving clips 16 toward first lateral edges 42 and 52 pushes portions offirst panel 30 and second panel 32 of flexible casing 12 toward firstlateral edges 42 and 52 decreasing a length of flexible casing 12 tosecondary casing length L_(C2), for instance, to the compressed positionillustrated in FIGS. 16-22. Decreasing the flexible casing to secondarycasing length L_(C2) pushes fill 18 together, that is compresses fill18, fluffing pillow 10 to adjust the firmness of pillow 10 and, in oneexample, increase the overall thickness of pillow 10. The position ofclips 16 along strings 14 can be left in a single position and/or movedover time, for example, as fill 18 compresses to adjust to and/ormaintain a desired comfort level for the user.

In one example, once clips 16 are positioned as desired, an exposedlength of string 14 extends from string apertures 176 of flexible casing12 to free ends 22 of strings 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 14-22, theexposed length of strings 14 are bent toward and at least partiallyinserted into cavity 180 of pocket 100 for storage, which substantiallyprevents strings 14 from extending to a position of discomfort for theuser. Securing closure 106 closes pocket 100 to better maintain freeends 22 of strings 14 within cavity 180.

Per the described embodiments above, a pillow according to the presentinvention is adjustable by compressing or decompressing the flexiblecasing and, therefore, the fill therein to a comfort level as desired bythe user. As the fill compresses over age, clips can be moved along theone or more strings as desired to adjust the compression of the pillowonce or repeatedly as desired. In this manner, the pillow is able toprovide various users with a number of desired levels of comfortincreasing the appeal of a single pillow. In addition, the ability tocontinually adjust the pillow compression, allows the pillow to beadjusted to counteract any settle or aged degradation or compression ofthe pillow fill increasing the life span of the pillow.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particularembodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes onlyand should not be considered to limit the invention. Variousalternatives and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art upon reading this application. Other modifications within thescope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pillow comprising: a flexible casing defining afirst end, a second end opposite the first end, and an enclosed interiorcavity between the first end and the second end, the flexible casingdefining a string aperture through the second end of the flexiblecasing; a fill maintained within the enclosed interior cavity forproviding cushion to the pillow; a string statically secured near thefirst end of the flexible casing and extending through the enclosedinterior cavity and out the string aperture in the second end of theflexible casing; a clip selectively secured to the string adjacent thestring aperture, wherein the clip is movable along the string andselectively latched at various positions along the string to adjust thepillow between a first state and a second state, wherein in the secondstate the overall length of the casing is smaller and the fill iscompressed more than in the first state.
 2. The pillow of claim 1,wherein the string is statically secured near the first end of theflexible casing within the enclosed interior cavity of the pillow. 3.The pillow of claim 1, wherein the fill extends around a portion of thestring located in the interior cavity such the string extends throughthe fill.
 4. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the string extends through acenter portion of the fill.
 5. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the stringis only coupled to the flexible casing at a first end of the stringsecured near the first end of the flexible casing.
 6. The pillow ofclaim 1, wherein the string is linearly movably through the stringaperture in the second end of the flexible casing.
 7. The pillow ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible casing is formed by a first panel and asecond panel secured to one another adjacent perimeters thereof todefine the interior cavity between the first panel and the second panel.8. The pillow of claim 7, wherein the first panel and the second panelare separate pieces of fabric.
 9. The pillow of claim 7, wherein thestring aperture is formed along a seam securing the first panel to thesecond panel.
 10. The pillow of claim 7, wherein the string isstatically secured near the first end of the flexible casing within afirst seam coupling the first panel to the second panel.
 11. The pillowof claim 10, wherein the string aperture is formed along a second seamsecuring the first panel to the second panel, and the second seam ispositioned on an opposite side of the interior cavity as compared to thefirst seam.
 12. The pillow of claim 1, wherein latching the clip atdifferent positions along the string changes a length of the casing andchanges compression of the fill.
 13. The pillow of claim 1, wherein thestring only contacts the casing where the string is secured to the firstend of the flexible casing and where the string extends through thestring aperture leaving external surfaces of the first panel and thesecond panel substantially uninterrupted by the string.
 14. The pillowof claim 1, wherein the string is a first string, the string aperture isa first string aperture, the clip is a first clip, the flexible casingfurther defines a second string aperture through the second end of theflexible casing, and the pillow further comprises: a second stringstatically secured near the first end of the flexible casing andextending through the enclosed interior cavity and out the second stringaperture in the second end of the flexible casing; and a second clipselectively secured to the second string adjacent the second stringaperture wherein the second clip is movable along the second string andselectively latched at various positions along the second string toadjust the pillow, wherein the first clip is separately adjustable fromthe first clip.
 15. The pillow of claim 14, wherein: the flexible casingis formed by a first panel and a second panel secured to one anotheradjacent perimeters thereof to define the interior cavity between thefirst panel and the second panel, the first string and the second stringare each statically secured near the first end of the flexible casing atspaced apart locations within a first end seam coupling the first panelto the second panel, and the first string aperture and the second stringaperture are formed in a second end seam coupling the first panel to thesecond panel, the first end seam being opposite the second end seam. 16.A pillow comprising: a flexible casing defining a first end, a secondend opposite the first end, and an enclosed interior cavity between thefirst end and the second end, the flexible casing defining at least onestring aperture through the second end of the flexible casing; a fillmaintained within the enclosed interior cavity for providing cushion tothe pillow; and a string statically secured near the first end of theflexible casing and extending through the enclosed interior cavity andout the at least one string aperture in the second end of the flexiblecasing.
 17. The pillow of claim 16, wherein the string is selectivelysecurable at different locations along the length of the string adjacentthe string aperture to adjust the pillow from a first state to a secondstate, wherein in the second state the overall length of the casing issmaller and the fill is compressed more than in the first state.
 18. Thepillow of claim 16, wherein the fill extends around a portion of thestring located in the interior cavity such the string extends throughthe fill and is spaced from the casing other than where the string isstatically secured near the first end of the flexible casing andadjacent the string aperture.
 19. The pillow of claim 16, wherein theflexible casing is formed by a first panel and a second panel secured toone another adjacent perimeters thereof to define the interior cavitybetween the first panel and the second panel, and the string aperture isformed along a first seam securing the first panel to the second panel.20. The pillow of claim 19, wherein the string is statically securednear the first end of the flexible casing within a second seam couplingthe first panel to the second panel, and the second seam is positionedon an opposite side of the interior cavity as compared to the firstseam.